By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

HOOVER—What if you could turn one night of cooking into two different and delicious meals? It may sound too good to be true, but with the help of St. Vincent’s One Nineteen, it’s easy.

On March 18 from 11 a.m. to noon, St. Vincent’s One Nineteen is hosting “Cook Once, Eat Twice,” a cooking demonstration led by registered dietitian Donna Sibley.

“We’re trying to be a little more innovative and add (classes geared toward) the needs of busy parents and needs of everybody,” Sibley said.

Sibley will take participants through several time-saving meal planning methods during the hour-long session.

Participants will learn to repurpose leftovers to make an entirely new meal.

“By planning ahead, you can cook a little more food to have two completely different meals,” Sibley said. “Leftover is another word people don’t like, we try to make that more repurposing, adding new flavors.”

Sibley will also cover the double batch method, or cooking two recipes at the same time.

“You can eat one now and freeze another for later,” Sibley said.

Large batch cooking is another method that can provide multiple meals from one day of cooking. For example, barbecue meat and vegetables can be served one night, then used in quesadillas another night and stir fry for yet another meal.

Finally, Sibley will also teach participants to use a base recipe, such as ground turkey mixed with onion and spices, to create a variety of meals, such as meatloaf, meatballs and burgers.

While the methods are time-saving, they do require some preplanning.

“A little time upfront is definitely necessary,” Sibley said. “A high percentage of people don’t know at 4 p.m. what they’re having for dinner that evening… (this) just prepares people a little better for thinking ahead and having the right things on hand to make it a little easier.”

At the end of the session, each participant will receive a meal plan and recipes to bring home.

“We are seeing the need with so many busy people out there,” Sibley said. “Getting a meal on the table that takes 30 minutes instead of an hour saves valuable time.”

Registration for Cook Once, Eat Twice costs $12 per person. To register, call 408-6550.